Golf Simulator Developer Uses Canon REALiS Multimedia LCOS Projectors

Canon USA, August 17, 2009

Realistic image display is essential in simulation systems. When aboutGolf, a world leader in indoor golf simulation and analysis technology, needed a realistic image display solution they chose the superb clarity, high brightness, intricate detail, color accuracy and advanced optics of the Canon REALiS SX6, SX7, SX80 and X700 Multimedia LCOS Projectors. The high-resolution imagery displayed by Canon's projectors enables players using aboutGolf's simulators to get a clear feel for the shots in front of them while 3Trak, aboutGolf's tracking technology, collects data on each shot.

"With the integration of the Canon REALiS line, our golf simulation software has been able to project high definition images," said Don Hendershot, vice president of operations, aboutGolf. "The REALiS Multimedia LCOS Projectors allow us to project in a 4:3 aspect ratio onto a screen size of 12 ft. by 9 ft., with amazing color and excellent contrast. Another key benefit of the REALiS line of projectors is the varying levels of brightness they provide. The REALiS SX80 gives our customers a bright 3000 lumen, high definition image at a very attractive price point. Moreover, for those customers that demand even brighter projected images, they can choose to upgrade to the REALiS SX6 at 3500 lumens, or the even more powerful REALiS SX7 at 4000 lumens."

The simulators used by aboutGolf are designed for use in retail golf stores, indoor golf centers, teaching facilities and homes. The SimSurround simulator features a three-screen design. With images provided by a trio of Canon X700 REALiS Multimedia LCOS Projectors, the SimSurround simulator provides an immersive experience with 36 total feet of projected image that covers 150 degrees of view in front of the golfer. "The REALiS X700 is a very powerful 4000 lumen Multimedia Projector that projects high quality images, which enables our SimSurround simulator to deliver a truly immersive experience to the player," Hendershot explained. "It also gives us the ability to have not only vertical - but also horizontal - keystone-correction capabilities, which is crucial in the three-screen SimSurround alignment process. The REALiS X700 is also useful in our single-screen simulators when our customers need a higher lumen projector due to high levels of ambient light in the room."

Hendershot also noted that the versatility of the Canon REALiS SX80 Multimedia Projector allows aboutGolf to offer its customers the ability to utilize their golf simulators as home theaters. "The REALiS SX80 has been very useful in integrating home theater functionality into our golf simulators," he said. "The aspect ratio on the REALiS SX80 easily switches from 4:3 to 16:9 and the projector's HDMI input enables other digital video sources, such as a Blu-ray player or HDTV signals, to be connected to the projector." (HDMI cable not included with REALiS SX80.)

"We've experienced a solid track record of dependability across the Canon REALiS projector line," Hendershot concluded. "They are high-quality projectors and deliver the type of high definition images that bring realism to the golf simulation experience."